Pharmaceutical

There are three main markets in the pharmaceutical industry: the US, Europe and Japan but the other emerging markets have been experiencing constant growth. Most of the industry’s revenue is absorbed by large business companies that are called “Big Pharma”, but there are also some mid tier firms that focus their production on specialty drugs. A vast number of third tier companies in turn focus on research.

Many mid-tier organizations are absorbed by the largest as a means of controlling their growth. Three of the most important companies in this field are located in the United States of America: Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Merck & Co. New Jersey is considered the heart of the industry, but a vast number of firms can also be found in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Illinois, North Carolina and California.

There are different career paths available to follow if you are interested in a career in pharmaceuticals. Sales and marketing jobs can be particularly appealing if you do not want to be part of a specific research or lab team. In most companies, the marketing and sales areas are considered as a whole, although you can focus on different fields within each of them.

Within sales, you can work on field sales, sales management or managed markets. Within marketing, you can spend your days either on marketing management or marketing support. One of the advantages of working in the marketing and sales niche is that, regardless of the area in which you start your career, you will be encouraged to develop yourself in other areas as well. Sales management is one of the most economically rewarding areas you can work in.

From starting as a district sales manager, it is possible to climb up the professional ladder and end up as the head of sales for a pharmaceutical company. As you move forward, you should be ready to face new responsibilities, and you are expected to have several years of experience as part of a sales force before landing a management position.